Friday, February 21, 2014

Ranger Cookies Replay 2/13/14


We have another month nearly ready to be bygone days. The best thing about it is we have to be that much closer to spring. Never in my life time have I been so anxious for Spring to arrive.
Since more snow was broadcast for Saturday during the night, we agreed that it would be smart to attend Saturday evening Mass. My daughter and her husband were picking me up and we planned to go to our local restaurant after church services.  

We had two surprises. Another daughter and husband and a granddaughter and her family were also on the same schedule. The restaurant was surprisingly full, and there was not room for all of us to find a seat. So they opened the back room for us and we had a private party. My son and daughter-in-law and two of their granddaughters who were spending the night with them were nearly finished with their meal, so they came back and joined us.  Our party of three had grown to 15.  Once again, we found that the greatest magic moments can be found in family and unplanned gatherings.

Since I forgot to keep my promise to myself to do this earlier in the day, I will get right to food. My last week’s entry was almost a calamity. After I had hit “send” I read it over and it took two messages to correct my blunders.  Thanks to a capable staff at The Earth, they did a magnificent job of making it look as if I knew what I were doing.

I received a phone call a few days ago asking for a recipe for Ranger Cookies that I had previously used.  That took some thoughtful mind searching, but I remembered which pile, (that should be read as FILE) to look in and I found it in a few minutes.  She thought that reprinting it would be the easiest way to get it to her. Maybe someone else didn’t save it and will want to try it. It is an old recipe that a neighbor gave my mother when I was still in high school.  The lady who requested it had also been familiar with it but did not have a copy. I tell my grandkids and greats, that you have to have some good food in your stomach for desserts to sit on. So I am going to give you one that I was very pleased with that a niece had shared on Face Book. Thanks, Melissa and Peggy.
            
SMOKED SAUSAGE POTATO BAKE
1 package smoked sausage (the one I used was only 9 oz.)
5 medium potatoes, cut in chunks
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Salt, pepper, thyme, paprika to taste
Handful of grated cheddar cheese
Slice sausage into bite size pieces and combine with the potato chunks. Drizzle with oil and seasoning. (You may use other seasonings of your choice.) Toss together with hands. Spread out in a baking tray. (Mine was  9 x 12.) Bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees, Stirring every 15 minutes. Turn off heat and sprinkle cheese on top and allow to melt.

Hope  you are as pleased as I was.
            
RANGER COOKIES
I cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups cornflakes
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup each of coconut, chocolate bits, nuts
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, soda, baking powder, oatmeal, coconut and cornflakes. Add to mixture then add chocolate bits and nuts .  This is a very stiff mixture. You may add 3 tablespoons of milk to make it easier to handle. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork dipped in water. I used a medium scoop  to measure dough, made it into a ball , then flattened it. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not overbake.

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